posted
Don't know if this subject has been covered here before or not. I have a bunch of sandblasted 15# foam signs to do for a subdivision that need to be reflective.
This poses some problems for me, namely, if I finish the foam with a smooth painted finish first. then put on reflective,then SB mask, I'm afraid I'll have too many rough edges(not to mention registration problems.The finish background color will be flat solid hiding stain.
The second option which I'm leaning towards is to make copy 1/8" over all around(outline),then blast, sand and finish as usual, Then paint copy white, tinted slightly gray(one-shot), THEN apply reflective.With the letters slightly larger than the Scotchlite it should look cleaner when done.
Has anyone had experience with this' or have a better nethod?
P.S. I use Coastal Enterprises primer,etc. so surface will be good and smooth either way.
Thanks Jeff
[ September 13, 2002, 12:42 AM: Message edited by: Jeff Ogden ]
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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When you design your layout, outline your copy 1/8'' or more(whatever looks best).
Move the original text out of the way and cut your stencil with only the outline of the copy included.
I would mask and prepaint the area where the copy will be. You will have a slicker finish than trying to brush each individual letter.
Make sure your Oneshot is well cured and use thin coats.
Blast the sign, leave the stencil on, and paint your solidcolor stain on the background.
When the stain begins to skin over, carefully remove the stencil.
When I cut the vinyl overlay out of HP vinyl, I sometimes cut the vinyl WITH the outline. This will help with alignment if you need it to be precise. After applying the vinyl, just remove the outline. You can also just use the outline on a couple of the letters on the line of copy for alignment purposes.
Since reflective can be a bear to remove, you might want to "eyeball" it and apply without the outline.
Eyeballs are usually calibrated to mighty close tolerances.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7405 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Yes , I too have used glass beads,but I think I need more precision here on the raised letters.Now I do have some stopsigns in the same order...maybe I'll go the beads route on the blasted red background, even though they didn't specify reflective there. I guess I,ll try the oversize outline way. It would also enable me to seal the edge of the reflective with some Frog Juice or something. And I'll definitely have to eyeball the copy. Every time I've ever tried to peel off engineer grade I get a silver lining stuck to the adhesive that's hard to remove. I may experiment with one other way...may be able to put thin glass rubber over reflective and THEN cut both together on the plotter, if it will cut it. Also may encounter ragged edge syndrome and paint bleed though, once its blasted and I go to paint it! Thanks for the input, Jeff
[ September 13, 2002, 12:39 AM: Message edited by: Jeff Ogden ]
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
The glass beads will be as precise as your paint. If you put one coat on the letters and put the glass beads in the second coat even if a spot or two is missed along the edge, it won't show. If the background needs to be reflective also, apply a clearcoat and put the beads in it. I used to buy the glass beads form a sign supplier, then I saw some guys painting road stripes and leaving piles of beads at the side of the road. Free beats buying anyday.
-------------------- Dennis Goddard
Gibsonton Fl Posts: 1050 | From: Tampa Fl USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
The glass beads are surprisingly reflective. Look at the lines on the road even after being run over by cars. Do whatever you're most comfortable with. Either way will make the customer happy.
-------------------- Dennis Goddard
Gibsonton Fl Posts: 1050 | From: Tampa Fl USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
Dennis Well if I use the glass beads I wouldn't have to do as much prep on the HDU. It would actually probably look better if it wasn't perfectly smooth. Another good point is that it can be repainted on down the road, which you can't do with reflective vinyl.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Just don't drop those glass beads all over the shop floor without cleaning them up with a shop vac. Walking across those microscopic ball bearings will make you look like a slapstick comic right up to the moment you splat. You'll then wish you had your stunt double with you.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5107 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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It doesn't take a post graduate degree in rocket science to visualize how I KNOW my preceding statement is true. A third grade imagination (and a few bandages) will suffice...
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5107 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The reason I mentioned shop vac is that a broom only swishes the evil little particles around since they are too fine to all sweep up.
If the aforementioned caveats are ignored, one who ambles across the floor will become an Instant Rockette Scientist, no longer ambulatory but possibly in an ambulance.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5107 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
If you want to go with the reflective vinyl, I would suggest using Dura Finish from SignFoam. I think Coastal Enterprises also has an epoxy resin finish. This stuff will dry rock hard and super smooth for a great base for the vinyl. Its also tough enough to be able to remove the vinyl when its life is up and replace it.
I used it on a sign and it looks great. I did the outline thing so the reflective vinyl is about an 1/8th inch smaller than the blasted letter. My letters were white with white reflective vinyl. Looks the same both day and night.
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